Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?

'Starting a business is a lot like becoming a
parent. Not only do you have to prepare for your start-up emotionally
and financially, but you have to be committed to its constant needs
until it’s mature enough to hum along on its own. And even then (much
like a child) it will always need you in some capacity, no matter how
old it gets.' (Adapted from the Wall Street Journal Complete Small
Business Guidebook)There are many advantages to starting a business such as being your own boss, setting your
own schedule and making a living doing what you enjoy. Becoming a
successful entrepreneur requires thoughtful planning, creativity and
hard work. Discover what it takes to achieve success in starting a
business by learning first-hand about the entrepreneurs lifestyle from a
panel of LGBT and allied business owners. You'll hear some of the
challenges and successes they’ve encountered starting their businesses
and get some tips from the trenches.

SAN FRANCISCO,
Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/--Whether you're on the hunt for a
job, looking to start a small business or just trying to get your
finances in order, it's a tough economic climate nationwide-and it's
especially challenging for members of the LGBT community, who face even
steeper barriers in employment and overall financial well-being.

The San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center's Economic Development Department (SF Center), in partnership with New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center (NY Center), aims to change that, and to jumpstart prosperity for the LGBT community with its annual, bicoastal Economic Empowerment Week&LGBT Career Fair, launching this year on Sept. 30 and running through Oct. 5.

This
series of bicoastal events will showcase the breadth of opportunities
available to the LGBT community and its supporters to increase their
financial security and become empowered economically. The events will
include industry insider panels and workshops that offer financial
education and credit-building tips and strategies, job-search support,
job placement-and much more. Last year's bicoastal event brought in more
than 1,600 attendees, with 60 employers and 35 community partners
participating.

Established
in 2004, SF Center's Economic Development Department is the first
initiative in the nation to comprehensively address the economic
barriers faced by low- and moderate-income LGBT individuals and
families. The Center also created the first program fortransgender job seekersand
the first and only program offering free income-tax preparation for
same-sex married couples. The results have been impressive. Every year,
the SF Center:

Helps more than 1,000 people get connected to jobs and employment services

Partners with more than 50 employers for recruiting and empowerment events

Provides technical assistance to 100 entrepreneurs and small businesses

Educates and assists 150 families to obtain resources to purchase their first home

Increases
the credit scores of 50 people through our lending-circle program
(which has an average credit score increase of 168 points)

"The
myth that all gay people are affluent needs to be debunked," said
Eugénie FitzGerald, director of economic development at the SF LGBT
Center. "Our LGBT community is diverse in every way, but reputable
studies consistently demonstrate that LGBT people are more likely to be
poor than our straight counterparts. LGBT people have long faced
discrimination in employment, education, health care and economic
supports, and those who face additional barriers, such as racism or
ableism, are the most economically vulnerable. We are the first group in
the country to design and implement solutions to LGBT poverty, and we
are thrilled to showcase this innovation throughout Economic Empowerment
Week and beyond."

In
2005, the New York LGBT Community Center also began helping the
community connect with employers and companies through their LGBT Career
Fair. The Fair, supported by corporations, neighborhood businesses,
community groups, LGBTQ student associations and business chambers,
pointed a spotlight on the employability of the NYC LGBT community. The
Fair has grown substantially every year, with the 2013 event showcasing
more than 30 companies, welcoming more than 800 job seekers and offering
professional workshops, panel discussions and networking
opportunities.

"The LGBT Community Center in New York City is proud to partner with the San Francisco Center on this critical employment effort," said Kristen Kentner,
corporate relations officer at the NY Center. "There is no topic more
important to the nation than the employability and financial security of
every American. It is our privilege to contribute, in every way
possible, in getting LGBT people jobs where they can start out and be
out."

In San Francisco, events will begin on Oct. 1 withJumpstart Prosperity - a kickoff mixer at the SF LGBT Center. The 30th LGBT Career Fair, supported by many local partners, will be on Oct. 2 in San Francisco. In New York, events will begin Sept. 30 with their LGBT Career Fair and multiple workshops on everything from career support to financial health.

"We are thrilled to celebrate our 30th
LGBT Career Fair at the SF Center! There will be over 45 companies at
the event including Apple, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Starbucks,
Macy's, Kimpton, Prudential, Nielsen and many more-all committed to
hiring qualified LGBT candidates," said Clair Farley, manager of employment services at the SF Center.

About the SF LGBT Center: The
Center is a welcoming place for our diverse LGBT community and its
supporters to find innovative services and fabulous cultural programs
that lead to a stronger, healthier community and a more welcoming and
equitable world. Its safety net programs serve the most vulnerable
members of our community and provide a welcoming home for all LGBT and
allied people. Each month, the Center serves over 9,000 visitors and
hosts more than 200 events. The Center is located at 1800 Market Street
in San Francisco. Learn more about the Center atwww.sfcenter.org.

About the NYC LGBT Center:Established in 1983, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is at the heart of the LGBT community in New York City,
providing quality health and wellness programs in a welcoming space
that fosters connections and celebrates our cultural contributions. We
strive to serve the LGBT community with a full-service, multi-faceted
approach to programming, from hosting arts and entertainment events,
advocacy groups and family gatherings to offering youth, recovery and
overall wellness programs. Each year, the Center welcomes more than
300,000 visits to our building in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan from people who engage in our life-changing and life-saving activities. We are proud to beyourcommunity Center. To learn more about our work, please visitwww.gaycenter.org.

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